The Darkness are back to take back rock and roll again with their upcoming sixth studio album. We spoke to bassist Frankie Poullain about “Easter Is Cancelled”, Christmas and their exciting tour plans for the end of this year.
From the beginning of the writing process did you set out to make a concept album with Easter Is Cancelled?
The concept of the concept album evolved naturally, from the four of us being in each other’s company for long stretches of time. The concept is man’s relationship with wood.
Can you explain the thinking behind the title and the very striking artwork?
The title happened when our manager wrote a group email in which the phrase appeared – he meant that we had a lot to do around Easter as the album was behind schedule. I then mentioned that the phrase seemed to carry a significance of sorts, and Justin then sent an animation of a muscle bound Jesus breaking free from the cross.
Easter Is Cancelled feels like your most musically free release to date. Was it as fun to make as it sounds on record?
To make something that sounds fun you have to be deadly serious and concentrated. Such is life.
Songs such as “Rock and Roll Deserves To Die” and “Choke On It” sound greater in scale than anything you’ve released before. Do you feel that creatively as a band you’ve grown more from album to album?
No, not from album to album, there is not pattern. We were just on the same page this time. I think ‘legacy’ was the driving force.
Do you feel that releasing “Rock And Roll Deserves To Die” as the first taste of Easter Is Cancelled is a good idea of what to expect for Darkness fans?
Yes. The song contains everything that makes us different, unique and important.
You’ve recently supported Ed Sheeran on a couple of his stadium dates and not long ago opened for Lady Gaga, have you found that you’ve opened up your music to a new type of audience?
Yes, a new type of audience – snotty nosed little oiks (just kidding!).
What can we expect from The Darkness in your upcoming headlining tour and will the new songs be prominent in the set?
We shall be performing the album in it’s entirety, in the style of a theatre piece, followed by Greatest Hits with a seasonal twist.
Your UK tours seem to usually coincide with Christmas. Over 15 years on from its release, do you still feel proud that you released what many refer to as the last classic Christmas song with “Christmas Time?”
I was never proud to begin with, Christmas is a time to put pride on the back burner.
What are The Darkness’ plans for after the October 4th release of Easter Is Cancelled?
Soak up the accolades then dust off the ego dandruff and get back to work.
Easter Is Cancelled is released on October 4th.